1 Exhibit 12.1 HERMAN MILLER, INC. STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Nine Months Ended Year Ended --------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ($ Thousands) March 4, February 27, May 29, May 30, May 31, June 1, June 3, 2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings: Income before taxes $158,803 $168,145 $229,912 $209,531 $125,883 $70,096 $4,039 Fixed charges 11,214 6,260 9,352 9,840 10,419 9,647 7,586 Amortization of capitalized interest 108 54 72 - - - - Capitalized interest - - (717) - - - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total earnings: $170,125 $174,459 $238,619 $219,371 $136,302 $79,743 $11,625 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 9,499 $ 5,254 $ 7,295 $ 8,300 $ 8,843 $ 7,910 $ 6,299 Capitalized interest - - 717 - - - - Interest factor of rental expense(1) 1,448 944 1,258 1,458 1,494 1,709 1,287 Amortization of debt expense 267 62 82 82 82 28 - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges $ 11,214 $ 6,260 $ 9,352 $ 9,840 $ 10,419 $ 9,647 $ 7,586 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= Earnings to fixed charges 15.17 27.87 25.51 22.29 13.08 8.27 1.53 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= (1) The interest factor of rental expense has been calculated using the implied rate of 7.7%.